Debate:Why do we still perform Baptisms?

It has been my understanding, that Baptisms originated with the purpose of cleansing the human soul of Original Sin. That being that human beings are born with the mark of the Sin of Adam and Eve. By becoming baptized, one cleanses his or her self of Original Sin. This was believed to be necessary to be preformed at birth, due to the fact that if a baby died without being baptized, under Catholic beliefs, the baby's soul would be sent to limbo, unable to reach heaven. Now, the Catholic church as dropped this doctrine, on the obvious account of it's controversy. However, my questions stands, if Catholics no longer see the unbaptized as going to hell, and Protestants never had such doctrine, as far as I understand, then why do we do it? I can't imagine a just God sending infants to hell by mere technicality of their birth.--Elamdri 12:17, 11 April 2007 (EDT)

Because we can't spell "perform"? Oh, wait, that error must only be on the topics page. I'll fix it. As far as your question, I have no idea. Sounds pagan to me. Oh wait, I do have a thought - it is symbolic, for the parents and the community, of bringing the baby/child/convert into the Church. The water part is just traditional, a pastor/minister/priest could just give the kid a hug and say "welcome!" Human 22:12, 22 April 2007 (EDT)

Rituals, no matter what their origins, are very important to all religions and cultures: baptism is a ritual that welcomes new humans (or older people for some other denominations) into the church as God's child.

Baptism originated in the Bible. It's purpose is to symbolize the death of the old person of sin, his/her burial under the water, and the rebirth of the new sinless person after a conscious decision to follow the teachings of Christ and accept Him as one's Saviour. Babies, by the way, cannot make that decision.One needs to be of an age capable of making that decision. Baptism by immersion is the Biblical definition, as Jesus was baptized by John. He is to be our example.The death, burial and ressurection of Christ, which allows for our salvation, is symbolized by our baptism.``InHisImage

I agree with inhisimage

one might note there were references to earlier baptisms than John though, most notable
the Great Flood and the parting of the Red Sea. So baptism with water is an age old
thing the God does.

In reading the Bible we see that John the Baptist came baptizing in water. He preached that people should be water baptized for the remission of sins (Mark 1:4). John the Baptist was an Old Testament preacher so his teachings are Old Testament theology. New Testament theology states that the blood of Jesus is for the remission of sins (Matthew 26:28). Titus 3:5 states that “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” By this we can see that water baptism is an Old Testament picture that prophesied of the washing of regeneration that was to come. The Old Testament believers looked ahead through pictures to the cross of Calvary while New Testament believers look back thru the Spirit. Jesus was watered baptized to fulfill an Old Testament picture, which was one of many. His water baptizing shows that we must be washed of the Holy Spirit for the remission of sins, which comes, by the blood of Jesus. [BJE]

Baptism is NOT for infants (paedobaptism), as (they way i see it) they will not be punished for Adam's sin (Dt. 24:16; Ezek. 18:20), and the great white throne judgment is according to one's own works (Rv. 20:11-14). And even if the Calvinists are right, and infants do go to Hell, paedobaptism is not Biblical, as infants are never seen being baptized, which is a most conspicuous omission, nor can they obey the Biblical requirements for baptism (Acts 3:38; Acts 8:36-38). Nor can they be saved by proxy faith, for though God rewards the faith behind prayers and works of faith, still the person must be able to respond in faith, as even the palsied man could do (9:1-7). And less critically, the only correct mode is under water (Act 8:38), as that alone examples what Scripture clearly teaches what is represent.

As for the controversy over baptism being a work, contrary to Rome, no one is saved (in part or whole) on the basis of personal merit, rather justification is appropriated by God - given contrite faith (Rm. 3:9-5:1) - and will thus follow (Jn. 10:27) - but this does not mean that when a person believes that he/she is completely unresponsive, rather, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Rom 10:9-10).

It is thus a confessional quality faith that saves (and thus will follow), and while one can be saved prior to being baptized (Acts 10:43-47), it need no more be "a work" of salvation than a confessional "sinner prayers", in this case it is expressed by body language. Thus Peter's "altar call" in Acts 2:38 was to call them all to confess Christ thusly. To God be the glory. - --Daniel1212 23:14, 20 February 2008 (EST)

Baptism is a representation of the cleansing of your sins through Christ. It is not a work.--James Wilson 17:54, 29 October 2011 (EDT)